Support structure beam

Abstract

A load support system includes a support beam. The support beam extends along a longitudinal axis and has two outwardly facing generally U-shaped framing channels separated by a web. The ratio of the depth of at least one framing channel to the height of said web is approximately 2. A support beam with at least one of the framing channels having this ratio has several advantages. It is stronger and provides for a larger variety of attachment devices to be inserted. Further, when used with respect to various channel support systems, additional support is provided under certain loading conditions.

I claim: 
     
       1. A support beam comprising: a body extending along a longitudinal axis, said body having two outwardly facing channels, each of said channels being formed of two laterally-spaced flanges extending outwardly from a web, wherein the ratio of the depth of one channel to the height of said web is approximately 2, and the ratio of the depth of the other of said channels to the height of said web is approximately 1.4.   
     
     
       2. A support beam comprising: a body extending along a longitudinal axis, said body having two outwardly facing channels, each of said channels being formed of two laterally-spaced flanges extending outwardly from a web, said flanges of a first channel extending for a first length with said flanges of a second channel extending for a second length which is less than said first length.   
     
     
       3. A support beam as recited in claim 2, wherein said body is formed from two separate members which define two lateral halves of said body, and which are joined at said web. 
     
     
       4. A support beam as recited in claim 3, with said separate members being mirror images and each separate member has a first leg extending for a first dimension, said first leg being integrally connected to a first in-turned tab at a first end, a second leg extending laterally inwardly for a second dimension from the other of said ends of said first leg, a third leg extending for a third dimension from said second leg, a fourth leg extending laterally outwardly for a fourth dimension from said third leg, a fifth leg extending for a fifth dimension from said fourth leg to an in-turned tab integrally connected to said fifth leg, said separate members being disposed in an abutting position along said third leg, said third legs forming the web separating said first and second channels, said first legs defining said flanges of said first channel with said fifth legs defining said flanges of said second channel, said second legs defining said web for said first channel and said fourth legs defining said web for said second channel. 
     
     
       5. A support beam as recited in claim 4, wherein said first and fifth legs generally lie in a common lateral plane and said third legs being approximately parallel to said common lateral plane. 
     
     
       6. A support beam as recited in claim 5, wherein said second and fourth legs extend along planes which are non-perpendicular to said common lateral plane. 
     
     
       7. A support beam as recited in claim 4, wherein said members are welded to each other at said abutting position along said third leg of each of said members. 
     
     
       8. A support beam as recited in claim 2, wherein the ratio of the depth of said second channel to the depth of said first channel is approximately 0.66, the depth of each said channel being defined by a projection extending between the point of said web of said channel located along said longitudinal axis, and the free end of said flanges of said channel. 
     
     
       9. A support beam as recited in claim 2, wherein the ratio of the depth of said first channel to the height of said web is approximately 2, the depth of each said channel being defined by a projection extending between the point of said web of said channel located along said longitudinal axis, and the free end of said flanges of said channel.